Philippines H1 GGR reaches €3B as online gaming dominates revenue
The Philippine gaming industry posted robust growth in the first half of 2025, with gross gaming revenues (GGR) reaching ₱214.75 billion (€3.31 billion) – up 26 percent from ₱171 billion (€2.63 billion) during the same period last year, according to data released by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
As per official data, Electronic gaming platforms – including E-Games, E-Bingo, and other licensed Bingo operations – continued to dominate the landscape. These accounted for ₱114.83 billion (€1.77 billion), or 53.47 percent of total GGR during the six-month period.
Licensed casinos, comprising large integrated resorts and traditional gaming venues across Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, La Union, and Rizal, generated ₱93.36 billion (€1.44 billion) – representing 43.47 percent of the overall sector. PAGCOR’s own network of government-operated casinos contributed a more modest ₱6.56 billion (€101 million), about 3.06 percent of total revenue.
Online gambling makes 50pc share
Despite the strong performance of the online and electronic gaming sector, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H Tengco emphasised that regulation and responsibility remain top priorities.
“PAGCOR recognises the earning potential of the E-Games sector, but as the country’s gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability,” Tengco said in a statement. “Our role goes beyond revenue generation. As partners of the government in nation-building, we must strike a balance between enabling industry expansion and upholding responsible gaming standards.”
As part of its regulatory drive, PAGCOR recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council (ASC) to enhance monitoring of gambling-related advertisements across all media. The agency has also directed that all gambling ads in public spaces and on primetime television be removed by 15 August 2025.
The agency’s reforms come at a time of growing political and public scrutiny of online gambling, which has become a key revenue stream but also a source of social concern. Several lawmakers have filed proposals seeking tighter restrictions on online betting, including limits on e-wallet usage to prevent high-speed, high-volume gambling. Some have even pushed for a total ban.
PAGCOR data estimates that online gambling generated ₱51 billion (€785 million) in government revenues from taxes and operator fees during the first quarter of 2025 alone – around half of the total government take from the gaming sector so far this year.
Calls anew to ban online gaming
Currently, more than 80 electronic gaming operators are licensed in the Philippines. However, internal voices of dissent are growing. PAGCOR employee Gian Samson, speaking as a representative of the agency’s employee association, said he supports a complete ban.
“Online gambling must be stopped immediately,” he said. “It’s not contributing anything to our society, and it’s putting lives and savings at risk.”
The Catholic Church has also weighed in, with Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David calling the issue a “moral and social crisis” on par with drug or alcohol addiction. He warned that gambling especially harms the poor, students, and other vulnerable groups.
Industry representatives, however, argue that banning licensed platforms could push users toward illegal and unregulated sites, eliminating safeguards and jeopardising tens of thousands of jobs.
DigiPlus Interactive, operator of gaming brands such as BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, said it was open to reform but urged the government to protect legitimate businesses and employees.
